[ I N S I D E V I E W | J O N A T H A N W A T K I N S ]
Keeping up with the clients
I
’ m going to let you into the secret inner workings of Global Custodian . As we approach our 30th birthday next year , it ’ s a wonderful time to reflect on the changes which have occurred throughout the tenure of our illustrious publication and the wider media industry . Much like the world we serve , we ’ ve had to adapt and evolve to changing trends , market challenges and competition . The traditional print magazine has reigned supreme across the world for centuries , but in recent years it has had to battle with a usurper in the form of its digital rival – the world wide web . Quicker , sleeker and far more accessible than its predecessor , the internet has changed news delivery forever , forcing us to evolve the printed in-depth feature format in our magazines to fast-paced breaking news and similarly detailed long-form pieces , but in a shorter space of time . However , the death of print has been greatly exaggerated - as I often say – and the magazine has learnt to co-exist with the internet and , if anything , has benefitted from its extra promotion and the efficiencies of acquiring new readers through online subscriptions . So , for a time , we ran both in unison , giving us the chance to reach new readers and corners of the world , distributing our news , analysis and market-leading surveys far and wide . But once these two forms of publishing had learnt to get along , suddenly a new kind of information delivery was born out of the modern way of consuming information – in the form of events . Industry events provide an interactive way of consuming new information , while also networking with a like-minded audience . With all these outlets at our disposal , we have had to analyse the tendencies of our audiences to fine tune the production and delivery of all our products . From data to analyse the best times to send newsletters and stories , to tracking the geographies of our magazine readership to tailor our content and discover the topics which fill rooms full of audiences for our educational events . We mix data analysis with knowledge and research to present the content we do , tapping into our readership network which spans over 100 countries bring you what you want , how you want it . For securities services firms , keeping up with your client ’ s needs is just as crucial , and much like our publishing world , the pace of change continues to accelerate . Demands change , their own business models change , and , of course , everyone continues to want more for less . This is why our coverage continues to focus on the changing needs of the client – from the rise of ESG strategies among asset owners , to continuous outsourcing trends from asset managers , to the fee issues around hedge funds and the ever-rising inflows into private equity leading to a demand for third-party partners . Other fascinating subjects such as how political issues , new technologies and regulations impact all of the above , also remains crucial to securities services firms in order to meet the needs of their clients . Our cover story in this issue looks at the potential demand for cryptocurrency servicing in the future , and how custody is crucial in the development of these digital assets . As one of the biggest investment topics circulating at present it ’ s a difficult topic to ignore for custodians and fund administrators alike . Ultimately it is essential to understand the needs of your client and the changes occurring in their world , which is why we ’ re balancing the delivery of this information to you with monitoring how and when you would like to receive it . Who knows , maybe one day we ’ ll be dropping this issue off to you by drone and you ’ ll be paying for it in cryptocurrency .
Jonathan Watkins Managing Editor Global Custodian globalcustodian . com EDITORIAL
Managing Editor
JONATHAN WATKINS Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 7397 3815 jon . watkins @ globalcustodian . com
Deputy Editor
JOE PARSONS Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 7397 3810 joe . parsons @ globalcustodian . com
Special Projects Editor
RICHARD SCHWARTZ Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 7397 3816 richard . schwartz @ globalcustodian . com
Product Development Manager
BEENISH HUSSAIN Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 7397 3838 beenish . hussain @ globalcustodian . com
Research & Operations
KAREN DELAHOY Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 7397 3826 karen . delahoy @ globalcustodian . com
Contibutors CHARLES GUBERT
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Art Director
OLIVIA ROSZKOWSKA Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 7397 3825 olivia . roszkowska @ globalcustodian . com
ADVERTISING
Advertising Director
DALJIT SOKHI Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 7397 3809 daljit . sokhi @ globalcustodian . com
ADRESS
20 Little Britain London , UK EC1A 7DH Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 7397 3800
Printed by : Warners Midlands PLC
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Global Custodian magazine publishes five issues per year . GlobalCustodian . com publishes daily . Annual subscription : $ 565 - magazine only ; $ 715 - web only ; $ 890 – package . For more information contact subscriptions @ globalcustodian . com .
Global Custodian is owned and produced by Tungsten Publishing Ltd . © Tungsten Publishing 2018
No part of this publication may be reproduced , in whole or in part , without written permission from the publisher .
6 Global Custodian Summer 2018